ONEONTA, NY – The regionally ranked Hartwick Women's Basketball team inched closer to securing the conference's 2^nd seed in the upcoming tournament with their victory over the visiting Houghton Highlanders 83-48 on Senior Day.  The win brings Hartwick to 16-6 (11-3) with two games remaining this season.  The Hawks will need to win just one of those to earn the 2^nd seed.  Houghton dropped to 9-14 (3-11).
 
The seniors took over the first quarter, scoring the 17 of the team's 19 in the opening stanza.  Molly Kirby connected on the game's first possession from long range, assisted by Giuliana Pritchard.  Maggie Kirby wouldn't be outdone as she took a pass from Kayley Ericson and hit her own three, putting all seniors into the stat column after just the first two possessions.   Ericson hit next (also from Pritchard) and it was only fitting that Pritchard scored the teams next basket to put all seniors on the board with points.  Although the Highlanders kept the game close, taking a couple different leads, the Hawks pulled away by scoring the quarter's final 9 points to take an 8 point lead into the second.
 
Hartwick began the second with a 13-1 run that gave them a cushion that would be built to as much as 27 before the quarter came to an end.  On the defensive side of the ball, the Hawks allowed just 7 points from Houghton (6 of which came in the final 3:30) while cleaning up on the boards by not allowing the Highlanders a single offensive rebound.  Offensively, the Hawks shot 6-16, including 3-6 from long range, to push their lead to 43-18 at the half.
 
Although the Highlanders outscored Hartwick 20-17 in the third quarter, the Hawks never let the game get closer than 22 and pushed their lead to as much as 38 with 2 minutes to play in the game.  Hartwick forced 17 Highlander turnovers and converted those into 17 points.  Hartwick combined to shoot 43% for the game on 29-67 shooting.  More impressively, they missed just 2 free throws, finishing the game at 19-21 from the charity stripe.
 
Leading the way once again was Maggie Kirby with 20 points and 9 rebounds.  Giuliana Pritchard followed with 19 points and a team high 11 rebounds and 4 assists while also blocking 2 shots.  Mikyla Mitchell followed with 11 and Molly Kirby chipped in with 10.  The 4 senior players accounted for 51 of the teams 83 points.
 
Prior to today's start of the game, the team, department, and Hartwick Community took time to recognize 5 graduating seniors who have given so much to the program.  Captains Giuliana Pritchard and Kayley Ericson, sisters Maggie Kirby and Molly Kirby, and the team's manager Bekkah Dean.  Each and every one has given something special to the program and have helped to solidify its future.  Hartwick College and the Department of Athletics wishes each a successful career and thanks them and their families for their time and commitment to making Hartwick Women's Basketball what it is today.  Congratulations to our seniors!  
 
Hartwick will go on the road to close the regular season, playing next Friday at Keuka (5:30PM) and Saturday at Elmira (2:00PM)